In a dramatic development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has removed gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s name from its revised charges against gospel music executive Ezekiel Onyedikachi, popularly known as EeZeeTee.
Initially, the EFCC had accused EeZeeTee, CEO of EeZee Global Concept Ltd, of misappropriating Chinwo’s earnings. However, during proceedings on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the commission filed an amended eight-count charge, shifting its focus to alleged violations of financial regulations.
The new charges accuse EeZeeTee of failing to report financial transactions and engaging in unauthorized foreign exchange deals between 2022 and 2023. The EFCC stated that the company received $255,436 during that period without proper disclosure to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering.
It also alleged that in June 2023, Onyedikachi and his company, without authorization from the Central Bank of Nigeria, conducted a foreign exchange transaction involving $52,895 with Oladotun Mureke. Another transaction worth $18,775 was allegedly carried out with Gift Ugochi Christopher, again bypassing official forex channels.
EeZeeTee pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had been filed and urged the judge to grant bail on lenient terms. He also revealed that both parties were considering an out-of-court resolution.
However, EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari opposed the request and urged the court to remand the defendant pending a decision on the bail application.
Presiding Judge Chukwujekwu Aneke requested clarification on how the defendant appeared in court. While the EFCC claimed an arrest warrant had been issued, Ojukwu countered that his client had been granted administrative bail and had appeared voluntarily, with no record of any ignored invitation.
Justice Aneke adjourned the bail ruling to May 9, 2025, and ordered that EeZeeTee be released to his counsel in the interim.
Outside the courtroom, tensions briefly flared as EFCC operatives attempted to re-arrest EeZeeTee at the court’s gate. The situation was defused by a senior EFCC official, allowing the defendant to leave peacefully.
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